Omicron in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia confirms state's first case in city resident

Pennsylvania's first confirmed case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 has been reported in a Philadelphia resident, city health department officials announced Friday. 

This person is a man in his 30s from Northwest Philadelphia. The Heath Department said in a statement it was working to get more information on the case, and working with both state and federal health officials.

First reported in South Africa, cases of the omicron variant now have been reported in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey and New York. 

Omicron in Pennsylvania:Pa. prepares for omicron COVID variant: What we know and don't know

What are omicron variant symptoms?:Everything to know about the latest coronavirus strain.

So far, all patients with the variant have reported mild symptoms, health officials said. 

A state Department of Health spokesman said Friday that no other cases in the state have been confirmed.

"The presence of the variant in Pennsylvania was expected based on other known positive cases of the variant in other states in the Northeast," Barry Ciccocioppo said in an email.

"There is no need to panic. Pennsylvania is in a very different situation now and we are more prepared now than we were for prior variants. We also know the path to controlling the virus and limiting variants: get vaccinated, get boosted, and take your children ages 5 and older to get vaccinated."

Philadelphia's Health Department also urged resident to "take precautions," including reconsidering holiday gatherings and activities.

“Since the discovery of this new variant, we have been preparing for the likelihood of an omicron case in Philadelphia,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “A new variant, especially one that may be more transmissible, means that we have to stay vigilant about taking steps to protect ourselves and everyone around us.

"I know that this news is especially discouraging as we enter the holiday season, but we can get through this together. Now is the time to get your vaccine or booster, mask up, and take extra precautions when you are going out in public or getting together with other households.” 

In the region:First omicron COVID-19 cases confirmed in Maryland

In an interview this week with USA Today's Pennsylvania Network, Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said it was "just a matter of time" before omicron was seen in the state. 

The World Health Organization has designated the new strain as a "variant of concern," but it remains unknown how it behaves or spreads.

Both Ciccocioppo and Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole urged residents to get vaccinated or receive a booster shot if eligible. Bettigole also recommended renewed mask wearing and social distancing. 

“Omicron is not something we wanted to have to deal with, but Philadelphia has shown that, by continuing to do these simple acts, we protect each other," Bettigole said. "Now is the time to start thinking about how our actions can affect those we love around us.” 

Crissa Shoemaker DeBree is a regional investigative and enterprise editor for Pennsylvania and an award-winning business and investigative reporter. She also is editor for the teen writing panel Teen Takes.